Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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WHO BECOMES A VAMPIRE
A PERSON BECOMES A VAMPIRE, IF HE HIMSELF IS A VICTIM OF ONE.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: ENGLAND ; WORCESTER
Keyword(s): SUPERNATURAL ; SUPERSTITION ; Undead ; Vampire
James Callow Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Werewolf Vampire |
Date learned: 04-00-1972
An Irish bride should carry an Irish linen handkerchief in her
wedding bouquet down the aisle. When she tosses her bouquet
(inclusive of her handkerchief) the girl who catches it will have
good luck. The young lady who caught it should then place it in her
wedding bouquet, and the next girl to catch it will have good luck.
The same tradition will be carried on from bride to bride.
Where learned: NEW JERSEY ; Woman in an Irish import store ; Stone Harbor
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Bouquet BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 08-00-1990
GEORGIA CHRISTMAS TREE CUSTOM
"WE'D ALWAYS HAVE OUR CHRISTMAS TREE UP BY CHRISTMAS EVE,
BECAUSE IT MEANT GOOD LUCK FOR THE HOLIDAYS AND THE NEW YEAR."
Where learned: OHIO ; FLORIDA ; ALLIANCE ; EUSTIS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Christmas tree BELIEF -- Measure of time Year BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 11-13-1980 ; 00001920S
ST. PATRICK LEGEND
ONE DAY, ST. PATRICK STUCK HIS STAFF INTO THE GROUND AND
IT GREW INTO A TREE. (PROBABLY A BLACK THORN TREE.)
HE ALSO CHASED ALL THE SNAKES OUT OF IRELAND AND TO THIS
DAY THERE AREN'T ANY SNAKES IN THE WHOLE OF IRELAND.
Submitter comment:
MRS. MC CLOSKEY HEARD THIS WHEN SHE LIVED IN BELFAST,
IRELAND, ABOUT 1910.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; IRELAND ; BELFAST
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Creation and Order of Plant Life PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal |
Date learned: 01-13-1964 ; 00-00-1910
ST. PATRICK LEGEND
ST. PATRICK FASTED FORTY DAYS AND FORTY NIGHTS AND, WHILE
HE DID, HE ASKED THE LORD FOR CERTAIN FAVORS. ONE OF THE
THINGS HE ASKED FOR WAS THAT ON THE LAST JUDGMENT, HE
BE ALLOWED TO JUDGE THE IRISH NATION AND GOD GRANTED
HIS REQUEST.
Submitter comment:
MRS. MC CLOSKEY HEARD THIS WHEN SHE LIVED IN BELFAST,
IRELAND, ABOUT 1915.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; IRELAND ; BELFAST
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero |
Date learned: 01-13-1964 ; 00-00-1915
CAR FOR SALE
A THUNDERBIRD WAS ON SALE FOR $500--IT WAS AFTER THE FOUR-PASSEN-
GERS CAME OUT, SO AFTER 1958. A WOMAN HAD GONE TO CALIFORNIA AND
HER HUSBAND CAME HOME AFTER DRIVING HER TO THE AIRPORT. HE
ENTERED THE GARAGE WHICH OPENED WITH REMOTE CONTROL. HE DIED OF
A HEART ATTACK AND WAS LEFT IN THERE FOR EITHER THREE DAYS OR
WEEKS--I CAN'T REMEMBER. WHEN HIS WIFE CAME BACK SHE WAS IN THE
HOSPITAL BEING TREATED FOR SHOCK, I GUESS. ONE OF HER NURSES (WHO
IS THE DAUGHTER OF ONE OF MY DAD'S EMPLOYEES) WAS TOLD ABOUT THE
CAR. YOU REALLY COULDN'T SMELL IT UNLESS YOU WERE TOLD ABOUT IT;
BUT THEY STILL HAD TROUBLE SELLING IT. THE NURSE COULDN'T BUY IT
BECAUSE SHE WAS BLIND AND HAS SUGAR DIABETES. THIS HAPPENED TWO
OR THREE YEARS AGO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Means of transportation Vehicle propelled by mechanical or other force on land BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 05-10-1965
BELIEF
IF YOU SPILL SALT, BE SURE TO PICK SOME OF IT UP BETWEEN THUMB
AND FIRST FINGER AND THROW IT ACROSS THE RIGHT SHOULDER. IT GOES
IN THE DEVIL'S EYES. HE WILL NOT TEMPT YOU TO DO ANYTHING WRONG.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; ROCHESTER
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Mineral |
Date learned: 03-11-1972
PROTECTION AGAINST VAMPIRES
TORCHES WAVED WILDLY IS A PROTECTIVE DEVICE AGAINST VAMPIRES.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: ENGLAND ; WORCESTER
Keyword(s): SUPERNATURAL ; SUPERSTITION ; Torches ; Vampires
James Callow Keyword(s): FIRE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Werewolf Vampire |
Date learned: 04-00-1972
IT IS BAD LUCK TO WALK UNDER A LADDER.
Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT SAID HE WOULD NEVER WALK UNDER A LADDER. HE
Where learned: KENTUCKY ; PRESTONSBURG
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Bad luck Ladder (angles, pyramid, etc.) |
Date learned: 00001928-1946
WAYS TO KILL A VAMPIRE
CUTTING OFF A PART OF A VAMPIRES BODY WILL KILL HIM.
BECAUSE VAMPIRES SPIRITS CAN ONLY RESIDE IN WHOLE BODIES.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: ENGLAND ; WORCESTER
Keyword(s): Kill ; SUPERNATURAL ; SUPERSTITION ; Vampire
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Werewolf Vampire BELIEF -- Body part Senses |
Date learned: 04-00-1972
SAYING
A ROLL OF TOILET PAPER WITH RIBBON ON IT, A U. OF D. DIPLOMA.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT GAVE ME THIS COMMENT AS I WAS SITTING IN HIS KITCHEN
ORGANIZING ITEMS FOR THIS ASSIGNMENT. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SENTIMENT
AMONG SENIORS AS THEY LOOK FOR A JOB AFTER GRADUATION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; EAST DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Phrase |
Language
after a twenty minute argument with his cousin, Jim hollored this parting statement: "Make like a tree and leave!"
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs Added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Leave-Talking?
Better-Taunt?
Original BN [C730.329] crossed out. Replaced with current classification.
Where learned: BOSTON ; Massachusetts
Keyword(s): Leave ; Leave Talking ; PLAY ON WORDS ; PUN ; TAUNT ; Tree ; WORDPLAY
| Subject headings: | -- SPEECH -- Formula |
AQUARIUS
IT IS THE 11TH CONSTELLATION OR SIGN OF THE ZODIAC.
IT SUPPOSEDLY STANDS FOR COLD, RAINSTORMS, FLOODS AND
DARKNESS. IT SEEMS TO BE THOUGHT OF TO BE THE
SOURCE OF ALL THE RIVERS OF THE EARTH.
Submitter comment:
I AM INTERESTED IN THIS SUBJECT AND I REMEMBER READING
THIS SOMEWHERE.
Where learned: READING ASTROLOGY
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
LITHUANIAN GAME
TWO PEOPLE GET SAME NUMBER OF EGGS. EACH TAKES HOLD
OF ONE EGG AND CHARGES AT EACH OTHER, HITTING THE
EGGS TOGETHER. THE PERSON WHOSE EGG CRACKS GETS
A NEW EGG. THE ONE LEFT WITH THE MOST EGGS WINS.
Where learned: OHIO ; NORTH OLMSTED
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 02-00-1970
ROCK O MY SOUL
ROCKA MY SOUL IN THE BOSOM OF ABRAHAM, ROCKA MY SOUL IN THE BOSOM
OF ABRAHAM, ROCKA MY SOUL IN THE BOSOM OF ABRAHAM. OH ROCKA MY
SOUL.
Where learned: OHIO ; YOUNGSTOWN
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Religious |
Date learned: 11-00-1987
THE HOLES IN THE FLOORS OF THE DORMS AT AMHERST COLLEGE MADE
BY THE RADIATOR PIPES ENABLE THE OCCUPANTS OF A ROOM ON A HIGHER
FLOOR TO POUR WATER DOWN INTO THE ROOM BELOW. ONCE THIS ALMOST
RESULTED IN A TELEVISION SET EXPLODING IN A LOWER ROOM.
Submitter comment:
THIS ITEM WAS COLLECTED BY THE INFORMANT IN THE
FRESHMAN DORMS OF AMHERST COLLEGE IN AMHERST,
MASSACHUSETTS; IT WAS COLLECTED BY ME IN DETROIT, MICHIGAN.
Where learned: Massachusetts ; AMHERST
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Foundation Floor |
Date learned: 00001979-80 ; 03-00-1980
PRACTICAL JOKE
BECAUSE THE DOORS AT AMHERST COLLEGE OPEN INWARD, A COMMON
PRANK IS TO TIE A ROPE ON THE DOORKNOBS OF TWO DOORS ACROSS THE
HALL FROM EACH OTHER, SHUTTING IN THE OCCUPANTS OF BOTH ROOMS.
Submitter comment:
THIS ITEM WAS COLLECTED BY THE INFORMANT IN THE
FRESHMAN DORMS OF AMHERST COLLEGE IN AMHERST,
MASSACHUSETTS; IT WAS COLLECTED BY ME IN DETROIT, MICHIGAN.
Where learned: Massachusetts ; AMHERST
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Wall Partition Door Window |
Date learned: 00001979-80 ; 03-00-1980
PRACTICAL JOKE
TOOTHPASTE IS PLACED IN THE KEYHOLE OF A DOOR, HARDENING AND
MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO UNLOCK THE DOOR.
Submitter comment:
THIS ITEM WAS COLLECTED BY THE INFORMANT IN THE
FRESHMAN DORMS OF AMHERST COLLEGE IN AMHERST,
MASSACHUSETTS; IT WAS COLLECTED BY ME IN DETROIT, MICHIGAN.
Where learned: Massachusetts ; AMHERST
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Wall Partition Door Window |
Date learned: 00001979-80 ; 03-00-1980
PRACTICAL JOKE
A COMMON PRANK IS TO SET FIRE TO POSTERS HANGING ON THE OUTSIDE
OF DORM DOORS.
Submitter comment:
THIS ITEM WAS COLLECTED BY THE INFORMANT IN THE
FRESHMAN DORMS OF AMHERST COLLEGE IN AMHERST,
MASSACHUSETTS; IT WAS COLLECTED BY ME IN DETROIT, MICHIGAN.
Where learned: Massachusetts ; AMHERST
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing |
Date learned: 00001979-80 ; 03-00-1980
PRACTICAL JOKE
A COMMON PRANK IS TO TURN OFF THE HOT WATER WHILE SOMEONE SHOWERS.
Submitter comment:
THIS ITEM WAS COLLECTED BY THE INFORMANT IN THE
FRESHMEN DORMS OF AMHERST COLLEGE IN AMHERST,
MASSACHUSETTS; IT WAS COLLECTED BY ME IN DETROIT, MICHIGAN.
Where learned: Massachusetts ; AMHERST
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing |
Date learned: 00001979-80 ; 03-00-1980